Literacy Specialist

THIS IS A NEW ASSEMBLED EXAMINATION.  The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year, but can be extended.

Applications must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing.  Applications will only be accepted on-line.

Supplemental Questionnaire:  A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each application.  Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing. Postmarks are not accepted.  Failure to submit the Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification.

ABOUT THE ALAMEDA COUNTY LIBRARY

The Alameda County Library provides library services from ten branch libraries in the cities of Albany, Dublin, Fremont, Newark and Union City and the unincorporated communities of Castro Valley and San Lorenzo. Outreach services are provided through the Bookmobile, the Literacy Program, the Senior Outreach Program, and the County Jails.

The County Library was established in 1910 and is governed by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors. The Alameda County Library Advisory Commission advises County Librarian Jean Hofacket and the Board of Supervisors on library services.

The County Library is funded primarily by local property taxes, with additional revenue from State grants and contracts with cities for additional open hours and services. The Board of Supervisors allocates a portion of a utility users and business license tax which is collected only in the unincorporated areas of the County to the Library for service to the unincorporated areas. The Alameda County Library Foundation and active Friends or Library League groups in each community support library programs and services.

THE POSITION

Under general supervision, Literacy Specialists are paraprofessionals who perform services for the Library Outreach Service Units of the County Library. Positions in this class perform functions related to the coordination, planning, instruction and evaluation of curriculum for literacy participants; and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Literacy Specialist is a journey level class in the library series. Positions in this classification are under the general supervision of a Senior Program Specialist or Administrative Specialist II. Incumbents in this classification perform with a high degree of expertise in literacy related issues and will be required to work in a variety of settings, which may include correctional institutions (both juvenile and adult). Incumbents have generalized knowledge and experience in program systems and operations, database management and outreach. In addition to organizational skills, they are required to possess specialized knowledge of current theories and practices of adult and juvenile literacy instruction, as well as experience providing direct literacy instruction to adults and/or children. The class of Literacy Specialist differs from the class of Literacy Advocate in that incumbents in the latter class have the primary responsibility for recruiting students and volunteers for participation in the Literacy Program, while the former class provides direct instruction to program participants and have responsibility for curriculum development, day to day program operation and the coordination of volunteer staff.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications listed below, the ideal candidate will have demonstrated a successful track record in the following:

• Experience in current and effective reading and writing strategies, methods and practices of youth and/or adult literacy instruction, curriculum development, reading assessments and evaluation, and database management.
• Knowledge and sensitivity to the literacy needs of a racially and ethnically diverse youth and adult population; comfortable working in a racially and ethnically diverse urban environment and capable of building a strong collaborative learning community.
• Commitment to participatory educational approaches such as Shared Evaluation Pedagogy (SHEP) and authentic text-related open discussion facilitation.
• An excellent listener with strong communication skills, both orally and in writing; display interpersonal and cultural sensitivity to varied learning styles with the ability to provide compassionate and positive emotional support to learners, both youth and adults.
• Commitment to the vitality and power of youth, their families, and the community where they live.
• Effective organizational and planning skills.
• Knowledge and ability to utilize instructional technology, including computers, software and assistive technology.
• This position will require travel, and evening and weekend hours depending on program needs.

Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance.  The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency:

TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN:

Alameda County and the Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination and/or selection process to accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Alameda County’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy and applicable statues.  To request an accommodation due to a disability/medical condition during this or other phases of the examination/selection process, please contact the assigned Human Resources Representative listed on the job announcement before the last date of filing. Alameda County requires applicants to provide supporting documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation. In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must have a disability/medical condition pursuant to the ADA, FEHA and applicable statutes.

For more information regarding our Reasonable Accommodation procedures, please visit our website, www.acgov.org/hrs

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Welfare Benefits

• Medical – HMO & PPO Insurance
• Dental – PPO & DHMO Insurance  
• Vision
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage) 
• County Allowance
• Health Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity
• Long Term Care Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Short-term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan – (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan

For your Work/Life Balance

• 11 paid holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Group Auto/Home
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.